Women no lesser
At first glance, it may seem unbecoming of a woman because the job involves a substantial amount of physical labour. But with the passage of time, the scenario has changed--women are doing what was considered exclusively the work of men before.
In September-October last year, around 200 women joined the position of wayman, who maintains the stabilisation of railway trucks through regular repairs. This was the first time women were recruited into the position, by the Engineering Department of the Bangladesh Railway.
"The outlook of people has changed. Nowadays women are entering almost every occupation," said Pradip Kumar Saha, chief personnel officer of BR's West Zone.
Rahima Akter, a woman from Netrakona who joined as wayman last year and is currently working in Chittagong, said, "Nothing but mental strength and endeavour are required to do a job."
The mother of three said she had been looking for a job for long and finally got one, for which her family also gave her enough support.
Another wayman, Tipti Rani Shil, wife of Sudarshan Shil of Sandwip upazila of Chittagong, said, "I like to work, no matter how difficult it is."
Tipti, who had studied up to class IX, said she did not fear arduous task. "Nothing is impossible for women but cooperation of all is required for this," she said.
Shahnaz Akter Putul of Brahmanbaria, Shamsunnahar of Kishoreganj and Rawshan Ara Begum of Chittagong came up with similar responses. "Work is work," said Rawshan Ara Begum. "It does not matter what kind of work it is."
Md Ariful Islam, divisional engineer in Lalmonirhat, of BR's West Zone, said women were doing well in the job, and they would do better gradually.
Giving a comparison, Chief Engineer of BR (East Zone) Ahmed Ullah Mia said women were working as hard as men.
"Nowadays women are participating in development activities of the government. They are doing different laborious jobs too. And this is no exception," said Md Amzad Hossain, the director general of the Bangladesh Railway, talking about the women working as waymen.
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